Alcorn State stormed past Southern 48-7

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lighting delay? No problem. Poor field conditions? No problem. Driving rain storm? No Problem. No JOHN GIBBS JR.? No problem. Facing adversity, the LENORRIS FOOTMAN led Alcorn State Braves stormed past the Southern Jaguars, on Saturday night at a rain-soaked A.W. Mumford Stadium, defeating SU 48-7.
 
The Basics
 

• Score:  Alcorn State 48, Southern 7
• Records: Alcorn State (5-2, 4-1), Southern (4-4,4-2)
• Date: Saturday, Oct. 31 | 4:11 p.m. (CST) Kickoff (Lightning delay)
• Location: A.W. Mumford | Baton Rouge, La.
• Series: Alcorn leads 35-31-4

How It Happened
 
Offense:
 

• Southern's first drive stalled after four plays.
• Alcorn State's Marquise Warford took the first offensive snap of the contest and scurried down the visitor sideline for a 78 yard touchdown.
• The Braves and Jaguars stalled on their next two drives.
• On their third drive, Southern had a short field to work with, starting at the Alcorn 47 yard line. After five positive plays placed the Jaguars on Alcorn's one yard line, Alcorn State Head Coach Jay Hopson called a timeout. The Jag's momentum was shut down, they were stopped on a hard tackle by DAMON WATKINS. After a false start, Austin Howard was sacked for an eleven yard loss. SU would fumble the ball on the center-quarterback exchange, ending their opportunity to tie the game.
• Alcorn State took advantage of Southern mistake, rushing eight straight plays, for 82 yards, capping it with a LENORRIS FOOTMAN 44 yard touchdown, to take a 14 point lead.
• In the next series, Southern and Alcorn punted.
• Southern's offense continued to struggle, as they surrendered a sack and fumble.
• The Braves extended their lead, going 43 yards in three plays, ending in a 29 yard touchdown catch, from Lenorris Freeman. 
• Starting on the 50 yard line the Southern Jags put the drive in Lenard Tillary's hands. Tillary carried the rock 10 of the twelve times, capping a 12 play, 50 yard drive, with a one yard touchdown to close the game 21-7.   
• In the ensuing drive Alcorn State fumbled their quarterback-center exchange.
• Neither teams could muster any offense leading to the end of the half.
• In the first half Alcorn State only threw twice, completing one for a touchdown.
• Alcorn State outgained Southern in rushing 213-85. Neither team did much through the air due to the inclement weather (Alcorn 29, SU 27 passing yards).
• Alcorn State drive stalled in the redzone, after an incomplete pass on fourth down.
• Southern could not take advantage of a Tillery 43 yard scamper up the middle, as the Braves defense held strong, after the Jaguars had a first and ten, on Alcorn State 18 yard line.
• The Braves took that momentum, and use the three horseman, Darryl Ragsdale, Aaron Baker, and Footman, to march 90 yards in seven plays taking 3:49 off the clock. Ragsdale had a bruising 48 yard, before Footman took it 17 yards for a touchdown.    
• Southern committed their third fumble. Alcorn State did not waste any time going 38 yards in two plays, capping the drive off on a BRANDON CAMPBELL 38 yard touchdown grab from Footman.
• Southern fumbling woes continued, and the Braves capitalized on the Jaguars mistake, going 57 yards in four plays ending in a 30 yard Footman, rushing touchdown, to extend their lead 41-7.
• In the third quarter the Braves exploded for 20 points, outrushed the Jaguars 194-90. The two squads accounted for a combine three pass completions on six attempts for a total of 55 yards.
• SU could not sustain a five play drive, and turned the ball over on downs.
• In the next drive Alcorn State struck fast on a one play 60 yard rushing touchdown by Footman, his 4^th rushing touchdown of the game.
• The Braves racked up 484 yards on the ground on 45 attempts.

Defense: 

• DARIEN ANDERSON led all tackles for Alcorn Statae with 11. Anderson also had a fumble recovery.
• WARREN GATEWOOD recorded 10 tackles.
• DEION MCNAIR recorded two tackles for loss
• Four different Braves recorded a force fumble.
• Alcorn held SU to 1-4 in the redzone, twice stopping them inside of the 10 yard line.
• Alcorn State created nine fumbles, recovering five.
• The Braves continue to rack up their sack total, sacking Howard three times.
• Southern first five drives resulted in three punts, and two fumbles.
• 4 of the 5 fumbles created by the Braves resulted in touchdowns on offense.

Special Teams:

• The weather played a big part on special teams, the windy and wet conditions kept both teams from trying a field goal.
• Southern's Willie Quinn was a non-factor. Alcorn kicked away from him the entire game. Quinn was able to return one punt, and went for a negative 33 yards, after his attempt to make something out of nothing failed.
• HAIDEN MCCRANEY struggled in the soggy condition. McCraney longest punt went for 27 yards.

Key Stat
 

• Alcorn State's offense outplayed Southern's, despite running 52 plays, the Braves put up 555 total yards to the Jaguars 260 total yard on 82 plays.

Game Changer
 

• The weather played a big factor, the poor field conditions, wind and driving rain, made both teams one dimensional that worked into the Braves favor. The Braves entered the contest with the #1 defense in the SWAC and one of the best rushing attacks in the FCS.
• Southern first five drives ended in 3 punts and two fumbles.
• Alcorn scored on all but one turnover, (24 points)
• Alcorn State's backup QB Footman did not miss a beat, after coming in for the injured JOHN GIBBS JR. on the third play of the game.
• The Braves scored on four straight drives in the third and fourth quarter to put the game away.

Notables
 

• Footman's 274 yard performance,  broke Alcorn State's school rushing record, last held by Rodney Thomas versus Prairie View A&M in 1998)
• Footman, career game, recording 4 rushing touchdowns, 2 passing touchdowns, led all rushers with 274 rushing yards.
• Footman rushing total out gained Southen's offensive total 274 to 260.
• JORDAN PAYNE ranks #1 in the FCS in yards per reception (29.43), ranks #22 in the FCS with six touchdowns
• This is the fourth straight win over Southern for the Braves.
• The Braves are ranked in several categories in the FCS: #1 Kickoff Return Defense (13.5), #4 Team passing efficiency defense (94.17), #5 rushing offense (279.7), #6 Total defense (282 yards per game),  #16 Total offense (464 yards per game), #10  Scoring offense (39.3 points per game), #2 Sacks per game (3.86), #2 Team Tackles for loss per game (9.7), #1 Passing yards allowed (102)
• Alcorn leads the series 35-31-4

Up Next

Alcorn State's welcomes back Head Coach Willie Simmons and the Prairie View A&M University Panthers (6-2, 5-1) on Saturday, November 7^th at 2pm. Coach Simmons was the Braves Offensive Coordinator, the last three season, before accepting the head coaching position at PVAMU. Alcorn defeated the Panther last season 77-48.

Braves fans are encouraged to log on to alcornsports.com for the latest news, scores and updates on Alcorn State athletics. Fans can also access the latest information on Alcorn State athletics through social media by following @BRAVESSPORTS on Twitter, @alcornstatesports on Instagram or liking the Facebook page at Facebook.com/AlcornStateSports